Welcome

I am Polly Barnes, a creative wellbeing specialist bringing expressive arts to communities and health settings. I enjoy creating environments where people feel safe to listen to their curiosity and explore creatively.

In my personal arts practice, I am a ceramicist and mixed-media artist based in East Anglia, UK.

What can I bring?

I love to adapt my practice to new settings and communities, but here are a few ways I may be able to bring expressive arts to you.

Facilitating group expressive arts workshops

Design and delivery of bespoke one-off workshops or workshop series for your community or organisation. I have previously worked with school groups, children and adults with learning disabilities, hospital patients, NHS staff groups, and end-of-life hospice settings. Workshops range from collage and soap carving to poetry and writing for wellbeing.

One to One expressive arts coaching

So many of us have that pack of nice brushes or new sketchbook in the cupboard but don't have the confidence to use them. I am developing methods to support individuals to feel comfortable and confident to follow their instincts and take the plunge to connect with their inner self and let go of self-criticism. We are all worthy to play with the 'good' crayons and explore.

Community sculpture activity at festivals and events

There's nothing like hands-on building with unfamiliar materials to spark curiosity and encourage people to explore creatively. As a community artist I suit the artwork to the setting and often use nature-based resources such as driftwood, willow and cane weaving to support people of all ages to come together and create unique sculptures.